Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 40 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In August; 322 In 2025

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the September 20 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 40 general water use permits in August for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming counties. 

So far in 2025, SRBC issued or renewed 322 general water use permits for shale gas development.  Read more here.

The approvals were granted under SRBC regulation 18 CFR 806.22(e) and (f) that creates a general permit-type process to grant approval for water use by individual shale gas drilling pads.

Individual uses of this general permit are not subject to public review.

A separate water withdrawal approval is required by SRBC for actually withdrawing water from a specific water source for use by shale gas drilling operations.  Read more here.

So far in 2025, SRBC issued 8 water withdrawal requests for shale gas development. Read more here.

New/Renewed General Permits

Here is the list of new general permits renewed or issued in August--

-- Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: BlaisureJe P2; ABR-202508001; Dimock Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 14, 2025.

-- EQT ARO, LLC; Pad ID: Hemlock Pad A; ABR-202508003; McNett Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 14, 2025.

-- EQT ARO, LLC; Pad ID: RBP; ABR-202508002; McNett Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 14, 2025.

-- MODIFICATION—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: BennerJ P1; ABR-201903005.R1.1; Forest Lake Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- MODIFICATION—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: LauerD P1; ABR-202203004.1; Springville Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- MODIFICATION—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: PalkoJ P1; ABR-202309002.1; Lathrop Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- MODIFICATION—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Powers Pad Site; ABR-20090511.R3.1; Forest Lake Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—BKV Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Sickler 5H; ABR-20100679.R3; Washington Township, Wyoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—EQT ARO, LLC; Pad ID: COP Tr 728 Pad A; ABR-20100631.R3; Watson Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Lattimer; ABR-201008038.R3; Litchfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—S.T.L. Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Coon Hollow 904; ABR-20100560.R3; West Branch Township, Potter County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.9900 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—XPR Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Alder Run Land LP # 2H; ABR-20100454.R3; Cooper Township, Clearfield County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—XTO Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: Brown 8519H; ABR-20100604.R3; Moreland Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—XTO Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: Moser 8521H; ABR-20100641.R3; Franklin Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—XTO Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: Tome 8522H; ABR-20100556.R3; Moreland Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 22, 2025.

-- Beech Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Echo Pad; ABR-202508004; Anthony Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 28, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Dave; ABR-201008107.R3; Albany Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 28, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: FEUSNER (03 053) J; ABR-201006100.R3; Columbia Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 28, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: LYON (01 078) S; ABR-20100696.R3; Troy Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 28, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: ROY (03 040) B; ABR-20100650.R3; Wells Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 28, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: ROY (03 046) B; ABR-20100629.R3; Wells Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 28, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—S.T.L. Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Pierson 810; ABR-20100633.R3; Elk and Gaines Townships, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.9900 mgd; Approval Date: August 28, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—XTO Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: Everbe Farms 8518H; ABR-20100533.R3; Franklin and Penn Townships, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 28, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—EXCO Resources (PA), LLC; Pad ID: Confer (Pad 32); ABR-20100669.R3; Burnside Township, Centre County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 3.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Bedford; ABR-201008139.R3; Elkland Township, Sullivan County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Benspond; ABR-201008146.R3; Elkland Township, Sullivan County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Fremar; ABR-201008147.R3; Fox Township, Sullivan County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Hottenstein; ABR-201008148.R3; Forks Township, Sullivan County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Redmond; ABR-201007005.R3; Meshoppen Township, Wyoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Robinson NEW; ABR-201007036.R3; Orwell Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Roundtop; ABR-201008067.R3; Colley Township, Sullivan County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Shingle Ridge; ABR-202007004.R1; North Branch Township, Wyoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Signore Drilling Pad # 1; ABR-20100697.R3; Elkland Township, Sullivan County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Simpson; ABR-201007030.R3; West Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Slumber Valley; ABR-201008015.R3; Meshoppen Township, Wyoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Stalford; ABR-20100617.R3; Wyalusing Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Tanner & Hana; ABR-202007003.R1; Wyalusing Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Towner; ABR-20100638.R3; Rome Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: SCHUCKER (03 006) A; ABR-20100654.R3; Columbia Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—S.T.L. Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Simonetti 817 (rev); ABR-20100545.R3; Gaines Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.9900 mgd; Approval Date: August 29, 2025.

Click Here to find more information on the water withdrawal applications.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Sept. 13 to 19 - Pipeline Rupture At Gas Storage Area; Spill By DEP Plugging Contractor; Failure To Have Shale Gas Emergency, Spill Plans  [PaEN] 

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - September 20 [PaEN] 

-- DEP Posted 80 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In September 20 PA Bulletin  [PaEN] 

-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles & NewClips From Last Week -  September 22  [PaEN]

Related Article This Week: - Oil & Gas:

-- Independent Research Study By Pitt, Duquesne Ties Water Well Contamination To Shale Gas Drilling In 2 Greene County Townships That Declared Water Disaster Emergencies  [PaEN]

-- Federal Court Denies Request For Injunction In Lawsuit By New Freeport Residents Against EQT Gas Drilling Company Over Contaminated Water Supplies in Greene County  [PaEN]

-- Permits For Controversial CNX Resources Drakulic Shale Gas Wells Expire Potentially Ending Appeals; CNX Can Apply For New Permits Starting The Process All Over Again  [PaEN]

-- DEP: Natural Gas, Wastewater Released From Pipeline Rupture At The Eastern Gas Transmission North Summit Underground Gas Storage Reservoir In Wharton Twp., Fayette County  [PaEN]

-- DEP Issues Water Quality Approvals For The 23+ Mile National Fuel Gas Tioga Pathways Natural Gas Pipeline Project In McKean, Potter, Tioga Counties  [PaEN]   

-- Marcellus Drilling News: EQT's Mountain Valley Pipeline Urges WV Appeals Court To Revive Civil Lawsuit Against Pipeline Protesters [Pipeline Finished In June 2024]  [PaEN] 

-- Protective Buffers PA Hosts Sept. 24 Webinar: Safeguard Our Backyards - Join The Campaign For Health-Based Protective Buffers From Shale Gas Operations  [PaEN] 

-- Environmental Health Project, Partners Host Sept. 25 Webinar On Health Professionals Toolkit For Protecting Patients From Medical Conditions Related To Oil & Gas Development; [PA Medical Society Learning Center Course Available]  [PaEN]

-- Environmental, Health Groups Host Sept. 23 Webinar On What The A.I. Boom Means For You And Society - Big Promise Or Big Problems?  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 40 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In August; 322 In 2025  [PaEN] 

-- Gov. Shapiro To Convene 13-State Summit Sept. 22 On Critical Changes Needed At PJM To Keep Energy Costs Low, Bring New Electricity To Grid, Serve Power Demands Of A.I. Data Centers  [PaEN] 

-- Team PA Releases PA Energy, Data Center, A.I. RoadMap, Includes ‘Aggressively Streamlining Permitting,' Establishing Regional Permitting Commissions  [PaEN]

-- NRDC: Another Proposed PJM Plan To Deal With Massive A.I. Data Center Electricity Demands Fails To Protect Consumers, Will Increase Electricity Bills Up To $100 Billion From 2028 To 2032  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Pittsburgh Public Source - Quinn Glabicki: Independent Peer-Reviewed Study Ties Water Well Contamination In 2 Greene County Townships To Shale Gas Drilling; Townships Declared Disaster Emergencies Over Water Woes

-- PA Capital-Star/Public Source: Study Ties Southwestern PA Communities’ Water Woes To 2022 Shale Gas Frack-Out, Narrow State Law

-- Courier Times: Federal Pipeline Safety Agency Says Energy Transfer/Sunoco Withheld Information On Jet Fuel Pipeline Leak In Upper Makefield Twp., Bucks County  [PDF of Article]

-- Fox29: Residents Demand Answers In Meeting In Energy Transfer/Sunoco Jet Fuel Pipeline Leak In Upper Makefield Twp., Bucks County

-- TribLive: DEP Faces Citizen Concerns About Air Permit For 4.5 Gigawatt Natural Gas Power Plant For The 3,200 Acre Homer City A.I. Data Center Complex In Indiana County 

-- TribLive: DEP Gives Preliminary Nod To Homer City A.I. Data Center Power Plant, But Environmental Groups Sounds Alarm Regarding Pollution

-- DEP To Hold Sept. 17 Meeting/Hearing On Proposed 4.5 Gigawatt Natural Gas Power Plant At Homer City A.I. Data Center Campus In Indiana County 

-- TribLive Letter: House Bill 502 Energy Facility Siting Legislation A Betrayal Of Local Communities - By Megan McDonough, Food & Water Watch

-- Williamsport Sun: DEP Report Shares Outline Of Cleanup, Closure Of 3 Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Facilities   [PDF of Article]

-- Williamsport Sun: Cleanup Of Spilled Material At One Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Nearly Complete

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Erie Shale Gas Conference Showcases PA Energy Advantage - By Jim Welty, Marcellus Shale Coalition  

-- Observer-Reporter: Investment Firm Purchases Hill Top Energy Power Plant In Greene County To Support A.I. Data Center Development

-- Blackstone Private Equity Announced Purchase Of 620 MW Hill Top Energy Center Natural Gas Power Plant In Greene County To Power A.I. Data Center Build Out 

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Electric Customers Will Pay To Keep An Old Fossil Fuel Power Plant Running Under US DOE Orders

-- Bloomberg: EQT Shale Gas Driller Says High Electric Bills Will Drive Use Of More Natural Gas  ‘We’ve Never Produced More Energy… But Americans’ Energy Bills Are Up Over 35%’

-- Texas Tribune: Texas $7.2 Billion Loan Program For Natural Gas Power Plants Has Approved 2 Projects Generating 578 MW  In Two Years; Rising Costs, Supply Chain Issues Holding Back Interest In The Program

-- EPA Convenes A.I. Roundtable Highlighting Permitting Reform To Make US The A.I. Capital of The World 

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: LNG Gas Exports Are On A Roll, EQT Is Rolling With It

[Posted: September 19, 2025]  PA Environment Digest